So far, five permanent Security Council members, Arab League countries, EU representation, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and 26 other nations will participate in Geneva.

A Russian Foreign Ministry statement said:

"(T)he overwhelming majority of countries is aware that there is no alternative to political and diplomatic means in settling the Syrian crisis, what Russia has been insisting on from the very beginning."

"(T)he political process should contribute to consolidation of efforts of all Syrians in the war on terrorism."

The ministry stressed the importance of "finalizing a representative composition of external delegates and inviting influential regional players to secure a lasting settlement in Syria and to fulfill future solutions of the conference."

"Russia and the United Nations believe that Iran should be added to (the participant) list."